Lab paper gets coverage in JEB

A recent issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology included a summary of our PLoS One paper on thermal adaptation in the small heat shock protein alpha A crystallin. Our study identified single amino acids that affect alpha A crystallin’s ability to protect other proteins from stress by comparing the structure and function of this protein from six fish species living at different temperatures. We used this information to genetically engineer a zebrafish alpha A crystallin with the enhanced protective abilities found in the Antarctic toothfish.

Thanks to JEB and the author of the summary, Hans Merzendorfer of the University of Osnabruek, for a great explanation of our work.